On-the-Job Training Standards 

For 

Locomotive Engineer Trainees 

February 12, 2019 
Page 2 of 14

Foreword 

The OJT tasks identified below assumes a continuous and ongoing positive conversation between the 

designated instructor / qualified person and trainee. It means enough opportunity for conversational 

feedback before, during, and after any task is undertaken. The purpose of this conversation is to ensure 

learning transfer occurs. Depending on task complexity and learner skill level, most adults gain mastery of 

new skills through practice and repetition. OJT standards provide the basis for measuring mastery of new 

skills in a fair and objective manner. It is understood that many of the tasks below are presented in a 

manner that may suggest non-complying conditions must be present for the trainee to demonstrate 

proficiency. That is not the case and it is for this reason that a positive conversation between teacher and 

learner is encouraged throughout the OJT process. 

Please also note that there is no obligation under 49 CFR Part 243 for employers to train safety-related 

railroad employees on skills they will never apply in connection with their duties. For example, if an 

employee will not be required to perform duties in passenger service, no training on those tasks is 

required. 
Page 3 of 14

On-the-Job Training Roles and Responsibilities – Example Template

1. The designated instructor serves as the overall coordinator of the specific OJT program and is 

primarily responsible for: 

• Acting as the principal point of contact for the process, and ensuring the process is properly 

implemented. 

• Ensuring that all trainees and qualified persons involved in the OJT process have received hard 

copies of the OJT program or electronic copies of the checklist.

• Providing guidance to both the trainee and qualified person in the process once they have 

received the OJT program.

• Ensuring that trainees have access to all the supporting publications listed in this OJT program. 

• Ensuring the trainee has successfully completed all safety-related tasks to become a qualified 

member of an occupational category or subcategory.

2. The qualified person (sometimes referred to as a peer trainer) may serve as the mentor/coach for 

trainees. The qualified person must be qualified and has a duty to communicate with the trainees to 

ensure OJT is properly administered throughout the process. The qualified person will also provide 

daily briefings at the beginning and end of each day regarding the specific tasks focused on during that 

day. The trainee may perform OJT under the direct onsite observation of any qualified person, 

provided the qualified person has been advised of the circumstances and is capable of intervening if an 

unsafe act or noncompliance with Federal railroad safety laws, regulations, or orders is observed. 

However, the trainee must demonstrate OJT proficiency to the satisfaction of the designated 

instructor to become a qualified member of an occupational category or subcategory. A 

designated instructor and qualified person can be the same person. 

3. The trainee (new hire) has the responsibility to pay close attention to the qualified person providing 

OJT, and to take advantage of the knowledge and experience he or she has to offer. Tracking progress 

of the OJT is essential and is the trainee’s responsibility. Trainees should be aware of, and abide by, 

the following: 

• The designated instructor and/or qualified person will provide practical information and advice 

on the requirements and responsibilities of assigned duties. 

• Trainees are responsible for completing any narrative and self-study assignments outside the 

scope of this OJT program. Additional assignments are an integral part of the training 

experience and must be completed before being deemed qualified by the employer. 

• To gain the maximum benefit from the OJT experience, trainees should: 

o Remain alert and involved in the training activities. 

o Ask questions and learn from feedback. 

o Take notes and apply previous lessons. 

o Complete all required assignments. 
Page 4 of 14

o Become familiar with and comply with FRA regulations, railroad safety rules, and other 

procedures mandated as a condition of employment by the employer. 

o Develop and maintain a learning attitude.

• The OJT experience is designed to be much more than following a qualified person around and 

watching what he or she does. Trainees must take an active role in the OJT and thoroughly engage 

in the various job tasks outlined in this OJT program. 

 

• Expect the qualified person to say, “Here, you give it a try.” Remember, while progressing through 

the OJT program, trainees can learn skills, to develop knowledge, and to adopt work habits and 

routines that will last throughout a railroad career. 

• Tracking and documenting OJT progress is an essential process step. 

Guidelines for On-the-Job Training Program Coordination and Administration 

In most cases, the first week or so of employment will involve administrative details and an overall 

orientation. Although it is understood that a trainee’s duties may overlap with other organizational 

requirements, each day of OJT should focus on one of the major duties of the OJT program to the extent 

possible. Once the tasks have been selected, there should be both an initial briefing on the tasks to be 

completed at the beginning and end of each day. 

• The purpose of the debriefing is to go through the day’s activities, and to focus on each of the tasks 

associated with the task selected. 

• There is no required sequential order for completing the OJT associated with any task, and no 

attempt is made to prioritize any tasks. Although OJT should be focused on a task, it is anticipated 

that the task standards will be accomplished based on available training opportunities. 

Important Note: Although OJT is a critical aspect of 49 CFR Part 243, FRA will consider, on a case by 

case basis, alternate approaches to OJT in lieu of the traditional approach (see 49 CFR § 243.5- On-the-job 

training). For example, some employers or training organizations may have access to state of the art 

indoor/outdoor training facilities that permit students to practice tasks that require neuromuscular 

coordination to learn in a controlled environment with minimal or no risk of personal injury. Other 

approaches may include; classroom practical exercises, role play, lab simulation, virtual reality (VR), and 

other emerging technologies. While FRA does encourage alternate approaches to OJT to lessen the risk of 

personal injury exposure to students, enough detail must be included in the submission and satisfy the 

regulatory requirements of 49 CFR § 243.101(d) (1-3). 
P art 2 4 0 S u b p art B: C o m p o ne nt Ele me nts of t he Certific ati o n Pr ocess

Perf or m a nce

T as ks

C o n diti o ns

T o ols, E q ui p me nt, D oc u me nts, 

Pr a ctice

St a n d ar ds

Ti me, C o m pl ete ness, or Acc ur ac y

Trai n ha n dli n g practices, 

de m o nstrate pr o per t hr ottle 

m o d ulati o n 

Gi ve n a n o p p ort u nit y t o o perate a 

l oc o m oti ve or si m ulat or (t y pe 1 or 2), 

o n at least t w o se par ate o ccasi o ns, t o 

t he satisfacti o n of a q u alifie d pers o n 

or desi g n ate d i nstr uct or, t he trai nee 

will c o n d uct a c o m pre h e nsi ve j o b 

safet y briefi n g, a n d:

De m o nstrate t he a bilit y t o use pr o per t hr ottle a n d d y na mic bra ke m o d ulati o n 

wit h at least 9 0 % de gr ee of acc urac y as f oll o ws:

Use a p pr o priatel y t o start, sl o w, a n d st o p trai n 

Re d uce t hr ottle o n desce n di n g gra des 

A p pr o priate us e of d y na mic bra kes 

A p pr o priate w aiti n g ti me bef ore e n ga gi n g d y na mi c bra kes 

Pr o per use t o c o ntr ol slac k acti o n i n trai n

Trai n ha n dli n g practices

de m o nstrate pr o per use of 

air bra k es

Gi ve n a n o p p ort u nit y t o o perate a 

l oc o m oti ve or si m ulat or (t y pe 1 or 2), 

o n at least t w o se par ate o ccasi o ns, t o 

t he satisfacti o n of a q u alifie d pers o n 

or desi g n ate d i nstr uct or, t he trai nee 

will c o n d uct a c o m pre h e nsi ve j o b 

safet y briefi n g, a n d:

De m o nstrate t he a bilit y t o use pr o per air br a ke pr oce d ures wit h at least 9 0 % 

de gree of acc ur ac y as f oll o ws:

Use a p pr o priatel y t o sl o w a n d st o p trai n 

A p pr o priate us e of d y na mic bra kes 

Pr o per use t o c o ntr ol slac k acti o n i n trai n

Act uate i n de p e n de nt bra ke w he n necessar y 

Trai n Ha n dli n g, S witc hi n g 

i n Yar ds a n d I n d ustr y 

trac ks c o n v e nti o nal a n d/ or 

Re m ote - C o ntr ol 

L oc o m oti ve ( R C L)

Gi ve n a n o p p ort u nit y t o o perate a 

l oc o m oti ve o n at least t w o se parat e 

occasi o ns, t o t he satisfacti o n of a 

q ualifie d pers o n or d esi g nate d 

i nstr uct or, t he trai nee will c o n d uct a 

c o m pre he nsi ve j o b safet y briefi n g, 

a n d: 

De m o nstrate t he a bilit y t o use trai n ha n dli n g tec h ni q ues necess ar y t o saf et y 

perf or m s witc hi n g o pera ti o ns i n yar d a n d i n d ustr y trac ks wit h at least 1 0 0 % 

de gree of acc ur ac y as f oll o ws:

Test R C L p ull bac k pr ot ecti o n ( w he n a p plica ble) 

Esta blis h a n d releas e Re m ote C o ntr ol Z o ne ( R C Z) 

O perate wit hi n a n R C Z

C o or di nati o n wit h ot her trai n m o ve me nts wit hi n a n R C Z 

Starti n g/ St o p pi n g / C o u pli n g cars wit h o ut usi n g t h e trai n’s air bra kes 

(i n de pe n de nt) u n d er t he m ost de ma n di n g o perati o nal c o n diti o ns 

St o p pi n g/ C o u pli n g cars usi n g t he trai n’s air br a kes (a ut o matic) u n der t he 

m ost de ma n di n g o perati o nal c o n diti o ns 

C utti n g off cars i n m oti o n

S p otti n g cars (i n d ustrial s witc hi n g)
Pa ge of 1 4

P art 2 4 0 S u b p art B: C o m p o ne nt Ele me nts of t he Certific ati o n Pr ocess

Perf or m a nce

T as ks

C o n diti o ns

T o ols, E q ui p me nt, D oc u me nts, 

Pr a ctice

St a n d ar ds

Ti me, C o m pl ete ness, or Acc ur ac y

De m o nstrate a n 

u n dersta n di n g of t he 

ge n eral re q uire m e nts f or 

all trai n bra ke s yste ms

Gi ve n a n o p p ort u nit y t o r ea d 4 9 C F R 

Part 2 3 2, Part 2 3 8, rele va nt railr oa d 

air bra k e trai n ha n dli n g a n d/ or 

o perati n g r ules, o ne oral briefi n g b y 

t he desi g n ate d i nstr uct or or q ualifie d 

pers o n, t he trai nee will c o n d uct a 

c o m pre he nsi ve j o b safet y briefi n g, 

a n d: 

x plai n i n e n o u g h detail, wit h 1 0 0 % de gree of acc urac y; 

T he mi ni m u m n u m ber of o perati ve air bra k es i n a frei g ht or pass e n ger 

trai n at a n y gi ve n ti me.

T he n u m ber of o p erati ve air bra k es re q uir e d o n fr ei g ht or pass e n ger tr ai ns 

recei vi n g a Class I bra k e test.

De m o nstrate a n 

u n dersta n di n g of t he 

ge n eral re q uire m e nts f or 

all trai n bra ke s yste ms 

re gar di n g t he s ec ur e me nt 

of u natte n de d e q ui p me nt 

Gi v e n a n o p p ort u nit y t o r ea d 4 9 C F R 

Parts 2 3 2 & r ele va nt r ailr oa d air br a ke 

trai n ha n dli n g a n d/ or o perati n g r ules, 

a n d at least o ne oral briefi n g b y t he 

desi g nat e d i nstr uct or or q ualifie d 

per s o n, t he trai nee will c o n d uct a 

c o m pre he nsi ve j o b safet y briefi n g, 

a n d: 

x plai n i n e n o u g h detail, wit h 1 0 0 % de gree of acc urac y; 

T he p ur p ose of v e nti n g air fr o m bra k e pi pe at a rat e n ot t o e x cee d a 

ser vice r ate a n d l ea vi n g t he a n gle c o c k i n t he o pe n p ositi o n o n t he first 

u nit of e q ui p me nt left u natte n de d. 

N u m ber of ha n d bra k es re q uire d t o be a p plie d o n u natte n de d fr ei g ht or 

passe n ger cars.

N u m ber of ha n d bra k es re q uire d t o be a p plie d o n u natte n de d l oc o m oti ves 

i n t he lea d c o nsist of a tr ai n

N u m ber of ha n d bra k es re q uire d t o be a p plie d o n a n u natte n de d 

l oc o m oti ve c o nsist o utsi de a yar d 

l oc o m oti ve c o nsist i n a yar d 

Re q uire me nts f or sec uri n g t he c o ntr olli n g l oc o m oti ve ca b a n d/ or re v erser 

o n u natte n de d trai n sta n di n g o n a mai n tr ai n or si di n g o utsi de a yar d wit h 

a n y l o a de d ta n k car c o ntai ni n g a p ois o n o us i n halati o n hazar d, a n d/ or a 

c o m bi nati o n of t we nt y ( 2 0) or m ore l oa d e d ta n k cars, or l oa de d 

i nter m o dal p orta ble ta n ks wit h hazar d o us materials 

De m o nstrate a n Gi ve n a n o p p ort u nit y t o o perate a De m o nstrate t he a bilit y t o perf or m t he f oll o wi n g air bra k e tests wit h 1 0 0 % 
Pa ge of 1 4

P art 2 4 0 S u b p art B: C o m p o ne nt Ele me nts of t he Certific ati o n Pr ocess

Perf or m a nce

T as ks

C o n diti o ns

T o ols, E q ui p me nt, D oc u me nts, 

Pr a ctice

St a n d ar ds

Ti me, C o m pl ete ness, or Acc ur ac y

u n dersta n di n g of t he 

re q uire me nts f or 

perf or mi n g air bra ke t ests 

fr o m t he ca b of a 

l oc o m oti ve or ca b car 

l oc o m oti ve or si m ulat or (t y pe 1 or 2),

t o rea d 4 9 C F R Parts 2 3 2 & 2 3 8, 

rele va nt r ailr oa d air bra k e trai n 

ha n dli n g a n d/ or o p er ati n g r ules, o n at 

least t w o se par ate occasi o ns, t o t he 

satisfacti o n of a q u alifie d pers o n or 

desi g nat e d i nstr uct or, t he trai nee will

c o n d uct a c o m pr e he nsi ve j o b safet y 

briefi n g, a n d: 

de g ree of acc ur ac y as f oll o ws:

Class I

Class I A

Class II 

Class III

R u n ni n g ( passe n ger o nl y) 

Sta n di n g L oc o m oti ve Br a ke Test

N ote: C o m plete t he f oll o wi n g ste ps f or eac h test a b o ve w he n a p plica ble: 

Bra k e pi pe pr ess ure wit hi n 1 5 psi at w hic h trai n will be o perate d, b ut n ot 

less t ha n 7 5 P SI at r ear of trai n. (If p asse n g er at t he air press ure tr ai n 

will o per ate, b ut n ot less t h a n 9 0 psi)

Bra k e pi pe ser vice r e d ucti o n of 2 0 psi. (frei g ht) 

After w aiti n g 4 5 - 6 0 s ec o n ds (frei g ht), mai ntai ni n g f eat ur e (if e q ui p p e d) 

c ut- o ut a n d bra k e pi pe lea ka ge d o es n ot e x cee d 5 psi. 

If use d, air fl o w d oes n ot e x cee d 6 0 C F M. (frei g ht)

C o m m u nicati n g si g n al s yste m k n o w n t o be o perati n g as i nte n d e d 

( passe n ger)

E mer ge nc y bra ke a p plicati o n a n d dea d ma n pe d al or ot her e mer ge nc y 

c o ntr ol de vices f u n cti o n as i nte n de d ( pass e n ger)

De m o nstrate trai n Gi ve n a n o p p ort u nit y t o o perate a De m o nstrate t heir k n o wl e d ge of t he p h ysical c har acteristics of t he t errit or y 
Pa ge of 1 4

P art 2 4 0 S u b p art B: C o m p o ne nt Ele me nts of t he Certific ati o n Pr ocess

Perf or m a nce

T as ks

C o n diti o ns

T o ols, E q ui p me nt, D oc u me nts, 

Pr a ctice

St a n d ar ds

Ti me, C o m pl ete ness, or Acc ur ac y

ha n dli n g s kills a n d 

k n o wle d ge of p h ysical 

haracteristics

N O T E: i n acc or da nce wit h 

§ § 2 4 0. 1 2 5 a n d 2 4 0. 1 2 7 

l oc o m oti ve or si m ulat or (t y pe 1 or 2), 

o n at least t w o se par ate o ccasi o ns, t o 

t he satisfacti o n of a q u alifie d pers o n 

or desi g n ate d i nstr uct or, t he trai nee 

will c o n d uct a c o m pre h e nsi ve j o b 

safet y briefi n g, a n d: 

o ver w hic h t he y will o perate wit h a 90 % d e gree of acc urac y i ncl u di n g t h e 

f oll o wi n g t hat a p pl y: 

Wa ysi de Si g n als

Hi g h w a y cr ossi n gs at gr a de

Railr oa d cr ossi n gs at gra de

Pe destria n cr ossi n gs at gr a de

Cr oss o vers 

C o ntr ol p oi nts 

Passe n ger Stati o ns

Wa ysi de detect ors

C ur ves & T o p o gra p h y 

T u n nels & Bri d ges

Cl ose cleara n ces

I nterl oc ki n gs 

Si di n gs, l ocati o n a n d le n gt h 

Trac k s pee ds

Re m ote c o ntr ol l oc o m oti ve z o nes 

Q uiet z o nes 

Met h o d of o per ati o n 

J oi nt o perati o ns 

Te m p oral se parati o n

A p pl y Fe deral Re g ulati o ns 

w he n c o n d ucti n g dail y 

Gi ve n a n o p p ort u nit y t o r ea d 4 9 C F R 

Part 2 2 9, § § 2 3 1. 2 9 a n d 2 3 1. 3 0, or 

Fi n d, o n t hree s e par ate i ns pecti o ns, at least 9 5 % of a n y n o n c o m pl yi n g 

c o n diti o ns n ote d b y t he d esi g nat e d i nstr uct or or q u alifie d pers o n. N o n
Pa ge of 1 4

P art 2 4 0 S u b p art B: C o m p o ne nt Ele me nts of t he Certific ati o n Pr ocess

Perf or m a nce

T as ks

C o n diti o ns

T o ols, E q ui p me nt, D oc u me nts, 

Pr a ctice

St a n d ar ds

Ti me, C o m pl ete ness, or Acc ur ac y

l oc o m oti ve i ns pecti o ns rele va nt r ailr oa d r ules i ns pect fi ve 

l oc o m oti ve c o nsists, t he trai nee will

c o n d uct a c o m pr e he nsi ve j o b safet y 

briefi n g, a n d: 

c o m pl yi n g c o n diti o ns ma y i ncl u de, b ut are n ot li mite d t o, t he f oll o wi n g:

O ver d ue l oc o m oti ve i ns p ecti o n rec or d ( bl ue car d) 

I n o p erati ve Hea dli g hts

I n o p erati ve A u xiliar y li g hts

I ns ufficie nt ca b li g hti n g

I ns ufficie nt ga u ge li g hts

I n o p era bl e trai n h or n 

I n o p era bl e bell

I n o p era bl e or defecti ve alerter

U nsa nitar y t oilet c o m part me nt

Wi n ds hiel d dist orti n g vie w of ri g ht- of- wa y

Br o ke n h a n d r ail, ha n d h ol d, or ste p 

Oil (sli p pi n g hazar d) o n r u n ni n g b oar ds 

E x cessi ve pist o n tra vel

Bra k e s h oe w or n

O b vi o us w heel def ects ( brea k, crac ke d, s helle d, flat s p ots) 

I ns ec ur e bra k e ri g gi n g

M ulti ple U nit ca ble pr o p erl y st o w e d

I n o p era bl e sa n ders 

I n o p era bl e u nc o u pli n g le ver or c o u pl er

C o nfi g uri n g L oc o m oti ves 

f or M ulti ple U nit 

O perati o n

Gi ve n a n o p p ort u nit y t o r ea d § 2 2 9. 1 3 

or rele v a nt railr oa d o p erati n g r ules, 

t he trai nee will , o n t w o s e parat e 

occasi o ns, t o t he satisfacti o n of t he 

desi g nat e d i nstr uct or or q ualifie d 

pers o n, c o n d uct a c o m pr e he nsi ve j o b 

safet y briefi n g, a n d:

De m o nstrate t heir a bilit y wit h 1 0 0 % acc urac y, t o perf or m t he f oll o wi n g:

C o n nect all re q uire d h os es a n d ca bl es bet wee n l o c o m oti ves 

Set all l oc o m oti ve ca b s witc hes, air br a ke val v es, a n d c ut - o ut ha n dles i n 

t he a p pr o priat e p ositi o ns f or traili n g or lea d c o nfi g urati o n. 

Test t o e ns ure all f u n cti o ns of t he s yste m i n use res p o n d t o c o ntr ol fr o m 

t he ca b of t he c o ntr olli n g l oc o m oti ve. 

A p pl y Fe deral Re g ulati o ns Gi ve n a n o p p ort u nit y t o r ea d § 2 2 9. 1 5 C o n d uct tests, deter mi ne c o m plia nce a n d ac hie v e 1 0 0 perce nt acc urac y o n 
Pa ge 1 0 of 1 4

P art 2 4 0 S u b p art B: C o m p o ne nt Ele me nts of t he Certific ati o n Pr ocess

Perf or m a nce

T as ks

C o n diti o ns

T o ols, E q ui p me nt, D oc u me nts, 

Pr a ctice

St a n d ar ds

Ti me, C o m pl ete ness, or Acc ur ac y

w he n i ns pecti n g

Re m ote C o ntr ol ( R C L) 

L oc o m oti ves. 

N O T E: t his tas k is i n 

a d diti o n t o t he re q uire d 

dail y l oc o m oti ve 

i ns pecti o n 

or rele v a nt railr oa d o p erati n g r ules 

a n d t o i ns pect t hree re m ote c o ntr ol 

l oc o m oti ve c o nsists, t he trai nee will t o 

t he satisfacti o n of t he d esi g nate d 

i nstr uct or or q ualifie d pers o n, c o n d uct 

a c o m pre h e nsi ve j o b saf et y briefi n g, 

a n d: 

t hree occasi o ns b y verif yi n g f u ncti o nalit y of:

ut o matic n otifi cati o n of o perat or i nca pacitate d feat ure i n o ne- p ers o n 

o perati o n. 

L oc o m oti ve c o ntr ol u nit t o res p o n d t o O per at or C o ntr ol U nit ( O C U ) i n 

pri mar y c o m ma n d. 

ec o n dar y O C U f u ncti o ns ma n - d o w n feat ures r e m ai n acti ve, e. g. b ell, 

h or n, a n d e mer ge nc y bra ke a p plicati o n. 

O C U i nitiates f ull ser vice a p plicati o n of l oc o m oti ve a n d trai n br a kes a n d

dr o ps tracti ve eff ort w h e n si g nal fr o m R C L t o O C U is i nterr u pte d i n 

e x cess of fi ve sec o n ds. 

O n/ Off O C U s witc h if s o e q ui p pe d. Off s h all ca us e f ull ser vice 

a p plicati o n of l oc o m oti ve trai n bra k es a n d eli mi n ati o n of tracti ve eff ort.

Disti nct a n d u na m bi g u o us a u di ble or vis ual war ni n g de vi ce i n dicati n g 

w he n l oc o m oti ve is u n der acti ve r e m ote-c o ntr ol o perati o n. 

F ull ser vice a p plicati o n of l oc o m oti ve a n d trai n br a kes a n d eli mi nati o n of 

l oc o m oti ve tracti ve w he n mai n reser v oir press ur e dr o ps bel o w 9 0 psi. 

R C L i nitiates e mer ge n c y a p plicati o n of l oc o m oti ve a n d trai n br a kes w h e n 

air val ves a n d electri cal s elect or s witc h is m o ve d b et wee n ma n u al a n d 

re m ote c o ntr ol m o de
Pa ge 1 1 of 1 4

P art 2 4 0 S u b p art B: C o m p o ne nt Ele me nts of t he Certific ati o n Pr ocess

Perf or m a nce

T as ks

C o n diti o ns

T o ols, E q ui p me nt, D oc u me nts, 

Pr a ctice

St a n d ar ds

Ti me, C o m pl ete ness, or Acc ur ac y

C o ntr ol a s h o vi n g, 

bac ki n g, or p us hi n g 

m o ve me nt t o a s uccessf ul 

c o u pli n g or st o p pi n g at a 

s pecifie d s p ot usi n g a 

ra di o.

Gi ve n a ra di o, a l oc o m oti ve wit h a c ut 

of cars, a n e n gi neer , a n d a n e m pl o yee 

directi n g t h e m o ve will c o n d uct a j o b 

briefi n g i n acc or da n ce wit h C F R Part 

2 1 8. 9 9, Part 2 2 0. 4 9, a n d a n y 

a p plica ble o perati n g r ules. O n t hree 

se parat e occasi o ns, t o t he satisfacti o n 

of t he desi g nate d i nstr uct or or 

q ualifie d pers o n, t he tr ai nee will

c o n d uct a c o m pr e he nsi ve j o b safet y 

briefi n g, a n d: 

e m o nstrate t he a bilit y t o co ntr ol a s h o vi n g, b ac ki n g, or p us hi n g m o ve me nt 

usi n g o nl y ra di o c o m m u nicati o ns. T his tas k m ust be ac hie v e d wit h 1 0 0 

perce nt acc urac y a n d i ncl u de t he f oll o wi n g: 

E n gi neer m ust u n dersta n d b y w h o m t he m o ve m e nt will be directe d

E n gi neer m ust u n dersta n d h o w p oi nt pr otecti o n will be pr o vi de d 

E n gi neer m ust u n dersta n d w hat met h o d of c o m m u nicati o n will be use d t o 

c o ntr ol t he m o ve me nt 

M o ve me nt will n ot be gi n u ntil e m pl o yee dir ecti n g m o ve s pecifies t he 

dista nce of t he m o ve m e nt . 

T he m o ve me nt s hall st o p i n 1⁄2 t he re mai ni n g dista nce u nless a d diti o nal 

i nstr ucti o ns are recei ve d.

De m o nstrate a n 

u n dersta n di n g re gar di n g 

t he ra di o tra ns missi o n of 

ma n dat or y directi ves.

Gi ve n a n o p p ort u nit y t o r ea d 4 9 C F R 

Part 2 2 0. 6 1, a n d t o be a me m ber of a 

trai n or e n gi ne cre w, o n 3 se parat e 

occasi o ns, t o t he satisfacti o n of t he 

desi g nat e d i nstr uct or or q ualifie d 

pers o n , t he trai nee will c o n d uct a 

c o m pre he nsi ve j o b safet y briefi n g, 

a n d: 

De m o nstrate t he f oll o wi n g wit h 1 0 0 % acc urac y a n d i ncl u de t he f oll o wi n g

T he ste ps re q uir e d b y a tr ai n dis patc her or o p er at or bef or e a ma n d at or y 

directi ve ca n be tra ns mitt e d.

W hat i nf or mati o n t he recei vi n g e m pl o yee is re q uir e d t o pr o vi de bef ore 

ma n dat or y directi ve is tra ns mitte d.

H o w t he recei vi n g e m pl o yee s hall c o p y t he ma n d at or y dir ecti ve.

De m o nstrate t he c o n vers ati o n bet wee n t he p ers o n gi vi n g a n d t he p ers o n 

recei vi n g t he ma n d at or y directi ve after it is c o pie d.

De m o nstrate h o w t o distri b ute c o pies of t he ma n d at or y directi ve t o ot her 

trai n cre w me m bers.

De m o nstrate a n 

u n dersta n di n g of F R A 

defi niti o ns pertai ni n g t o 

ha n dli n g e q ui p me nt, 

s witc hes, a n d fi x e d derails.

Gi ve n a n o p p o rt u nit y t o r ea d § 

2 1 8. 9 3, t he trai nee will, t o t he 

satisfacti o n of t he desi g n ate d 

i nstr uct or or q ualifie d pers o n: 

x plai n t he defi niti o n of t he f oll o wi n g ac hie vi n g a n acc urac y of 0 0 %

leara nce p oi nt

Cr oss o ver S witc h, i ncl u di n g c orres p o n d e nce 

F o uli n g 

Ha n d o per ate d s witc h

Trac k is clear

Re m ote C o ntr ol Z o ne
Pa ge 1 2 of 1 4

P art 2 4 0 S u b p art B: C o m p o ne nt Ele me nts of t he Certific ati o n Pr ocess

Perf or m a nce

T as ks

C o n diti o ns

T o ols, E q ui p me nt, D oc u me nts, 

Pr a ctice

St a n d ar ds

Ti me, C o m pl ete ness, or Acc ur ac y

Rea d a n d u n dersta n d w or k 

i nstr ucti o ns a n d pre par e 

g o o d f ait h c halle n ge.

Gi ve n a n o p p ort u nit y t o r ea d § 2 1 8. 9 7 

or a n y a p plica bl e railr o a d r ules, 

de m o nstrate t o t he satisfacti o n of t he 

desi g nat e d i nstr uct or or q ualifie d 

pers o n t he a bilit y t o: 

E x plai n t he pr oce d ures of i nitiati n g a g o o d f ait h c halle n ge, a n d ac hie ve a n 

acc ur ac y of 9 0 %

De m o nstrate a n 

u n dersta n di n g of t he 

re q uire me nts w h e n 

s h o vi n g or p us hi n g 

e q ui p me nt. 

Gi ve n a ra di o, a l oc o m oti ve wit h a c ut 

of cars, after rea di n g § 2 1 8. 9 9 or a n y 

a p plica ble r ailr oa d r ules, o n t hree 

se parat e occasi o ns, t o t he satisfacti o n 

of a q ualifie d p ers o n or d esi g nat e d 

i nstr uct or, t he trai nee will c o n d uct a 

c o m pre he nsi ve j o b safet y briefi n g, 

a n d: 

De m o nstrate t he a bilit y t o c o n d uct s h o vi n g or p us hi n g m o ve me nt wit h 

ac hie vi n g 1 0 0 % acc urac y t he f oll o wi n g, if a p plica ble: 

Pr o vi de i nstr ucti o ns necessar y t o c o ntr ol t he m o ve me nt 

Pr o vi de p oi n t pr otecti o n

Vis uall y deter mi ne trac k is clear

C o m pl y wit h t he c o n diti o ns re q uire d f or s h o ve li g hts 

C o m pl y wit h a d diti o nal re m ote c o ntr ol m o ve me nt i nstr ucti o ns. 

N O T E: T he a b o v e ite ms m ust be acc o m plis he d wit h o ut partici pati n g i n a n y 

ot her u nrelat e d tas ks

De m o nstrate a n 

u n dersta n di n g of t he 

re m ote-c o ntr ol l oc o m oti ve 

o perati o ns w he n s h o vi n g 

or p us hi n g e q ui p me nt 

fter r ea di n g § 2 1 8. 9 9 ( c, d, a n d e) or

a n y a p plica ble railr oa d r ules, 

de m o nstrate t o t he satisfacti o n of t he 

desi g nat e d i nstr uct or or q ualifie d 

pers o n, t he trai nee will:

E x plai n t he e x ce pti o ns t o pr o vi di n g p oi nt pr otecti o n wit h 1 0 0 % acc urac y, as 

f oll o ws: 

Vis ual i ns pecti o n of trac k, 

Acti ve e m ote -c o ntr ol z o ne 

Pr o per use of s h o v e li g ht s yste m

Si g nal g o ver ni n g m o ve m e nt is m ore fa v or a ble t ha n restricti n g 

M o ve me nt d oes n ot e x cee d trai n’s le n gt h 

T he trac k is u n der t he e x cl usi ve a n d c o nti n u o us c o ntr ol of a yar d mast er 

or ot her q ualifie d e m pl o yee
Pa ge 1 3 of 1 4

P art 2 4 0 S u b p art B: C o m p o ne nt Ele me nts of t he Certific ati o n Pr ocess

Perf or m a nce

T as ks

C o n diti o ns

T o ols, E q ui p me nt, D oc u me nts, 

Pr a ctice

St a n d ar ds

Ti me, C o m pl ete ness, or Acc ur ac y

De m o nstrate t he 

e x ce pti o ns t o l ea vi n g 

r olli n g a n d o n-tr ac k 

mai nte na nc e- of-w a y 

e q ui p me nt i n t he clear

fter r ea di n g § 2 1 8. 1 0 1 or a n y 

a p plica ble r ailr oa d r ules, de m o nstrate 

t o t he satisfacti o n of t he desi g nat e d 

i nstr uct or or q ualifie d pers o n, t he 

trai nee will:

E x plai n, wit h 1 0 0 % acc urac y, t he e x ce pti o ns f or lea vi n g e q ui p me nt f o uli n g 

a djace nt tr ac ks as f oll o ws:

O n t he mai n trac k

O n a si di n g 

O n a n i n d ustrial trac k 

O n a yar d s witc hi n g lea d

De m o nstrate pr o p er use of 

a n d o per ate d s witc he s, 

i ncl u di n g cr oss o v er 

s witc hes

Gi ve n a l oc o m oti ve wit h a c ut of cars, 

a n d a n e n gi neer t he tr ai n ee will, after 

rea di n g § 2 1 8. 1 0 3 or a n y a p plica ble 

railr oa d r ules, o n t hr ee s e parate 

occasi o ns, will c o n d uct a 

c o m pre he nsi ve j o b safet y briefi n g a n d 

de m o nstrate t o t he satisfacti o n of t he 

desi g nat e d i nstr uct or or q ualifie d 

pers o n, t he trai nee will:

De m o nstrate wit h a n acc urac y of 1 0 0 %, t heir a bilit y t o:

Vis uall y deter mi ne t hat s witc hes ar e pr o perl y li ne d f or t he i nte n de d r o ut e 

a n d t hat n o e q ui p me nt is f o uli n g t he s witc h es

Vis uall y deter mi ne t hat t he p oi nts fit pr o perl y a n d t he tar get, if s o 

e q ui p pe d, c orres p o n ds wit h t he s witc h's p ositi o n 

After o perati n g a s witc h a n d bef or e ma ki n g m o ve me nts i n eit her 

directi o n o ver t he s witc h, e ns ure t hat t he s witc h is sec ure d fr o m 

u ni nte nti o nal m o ve me nt of t he s witc h p oi nts 

De m o nstrate a n 

u n dersta n di n g of t he 

ge n eral re q uire m e nts of 

w he n t o use a l oc o m oti ve 

h or n 

Gi ve n a n o p p ort u nit y t o r ea d § 

2 2 2. 2 1, or rele v a nt railr o a d r ules, t o 

t he satisfacti o n of t he d esi g nate d 

i nstr uct or or q ualifie d pers o n, t he 

trai nee will c o n d uct a c o m pre he nsi ve 

j o b safet y briefi n g, a n d: 

De m o nstrate wit h acc ur ac y of 1 0 0 %, use of t he tr ai n h or n w he n a p pr oac hi n g 

a hi g h w a y gra de cr ossi n g as f oll o ws: 

L oc o m oti ve h or n m ust be s o u n de d at least 1 5 sec o n ds, b ut n ot m ore t ha n 

2 0 sec o n ds bef ore l oc o m oti ve e nters hi g h wa y gr a de cr ossi n g 

L oc o m oti ve h or n si g n al t o be use d is t w o l o n g, o n e s h ort, o ne l o n g blasts 

Trai ns o per ati n g m or e t ha n 6 0 m p h m ust n ot be gi n s o u n di n g t he h or n 

m ore t ha n 1⁄4 mile i n a d va nce of t he n ear est p u blic hi g h wa y- rail gr a de 

cr ossi n g.

De m o nstrate k n o wle d ge of 

s o u n di n g t he l oc o m oti ve 

h or n d uri n g a n e mer ge nc y 

or ot her sit uati o n. 

Gi ve n a n o p p ort u nit y t o r ea d § 

2 2 2. 2 3, or rele v a nt railr o a d r ules, t o 

t he satisfacti o n of t he d esi g nate d 

i nstr uct or or q ualifie d pers o n, t he 

trai nee wi ll: 

E x plai n circ u msta nces wit h a n acc ur ac y of 1 0 0 %, w he n l oc o m oti ve h or n 

ma y b e s o u n de d i n a q uiet z o ne 
Page 14 of 14

Part 240 Subpart B: Component Elements of the Certification Process

Performance

Tasks

Conditions

Tools, Equipment, Documents, 

Practice

Standards

Time, Completeness, or Accuracy

Demonstrate sounding 

locomotive horn when 

Roadway Workers are 

present.

Given an opportunity to operate a 

locomotive or simulator (type 1 or 2), 

and read § 214.339 and relevant 

railroad operating rules on at least two

separate occasions, to the satisfaction 

of a qualified person or designated 

instructor, the trainee will conduct a 

comprehensive job safety briefing, 

and:

Demonstrate, with 100% accuracy, sounding locomotive horn and bell, when 

approaching roadway workers on or about the tracks